Danny Boyle hints at the reason he quit Bond 25

Danny Boyle has hinted at why he walked away from directing the upcoming James Bond movie.

The acclaimed filmmaker was originally drafted in to helm Daniel Craig's last outing as the iconic character, but Danny left the project in abrupt fashion due to creative differences with the people behind the franchise.

However, in an interview given to the Radio Times before the announcement was made, Danny said that his Bond aficionado status would hamper his ability as the director.

He said: "The books were everything to me when I was a kid. I read them multiple times. Like everyone else, I saw the films, but I'd already read the books so I had a different relationship with the characters.

"Although I think it'd be impossible for a Bond aficionado to write or direct a Bond film. You'd be hampered by how much you knew. They want you to bring a freshness to it."

Meanwhile, an insider previously claimed that Danny's decision to walk away from the movie centered on plans to kill off Bond.

The source said: "There were discussions about killing off Bond in dramatic fashion at the end. It would also leave it open for a twist in the next instalment - either Bond hadn't died or there could be a 'Doctor Who'-esque regeneration with a new actor.

"There were clashes over budget and there's pandemonium among crew with people leaving the production left, right and center."

The decision to quit the project was announced on the movie's official Twitter page.

The post read: "Michael G Wilson, Barbara Broccoli [producers] and Daniel Craig today announced that due to creative differences Danny Boyle has decided to no longer direct Bond 25 (sic)"